Defense attorneys in Colorado death penalty cases want court files opened

From The Denver Post: The Colorado Supreme Court is asking prosecutors to explain why court records in the death penalty cases of two Aurora men should be kept secret.

The move comes more than five years after an Arapahoe County District Court judge barred the files from public review.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued an order to attorneys of both men, Sir Mario Owens and Robert Ray, to explain why they want the court files opened. In previous filings, defense attorneys have claimed misconduct by the prosecution.

They are asking that the case files be made public, including transcripts, a registry of actions, pleadings or motions and court orders that had names blacked out.

The court also asked for written arguments from the Colorado Bar Association, the state attorney general and the Colorado Press Association. The court set an Oct. 3 deadline.

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